We all love driving around and seeing the holiday decorations. Most people hang their own lights and hope for the best. Before hanging your lights and decorating your lawn, make sure to do some safety checks before you plug them in.
- Check the wires, both new and old, and make sure none are frayed or exposed. Frayed or exposed wires can cause electrical shock or fire.
- Do not plug too many strands of lights into one outlet. Overloading a circuit can cause overheating and potentially a fire.
- Check extension cords to make sure they are for outside use. They need to be able to handle the proper amount of wattage that holiday lights often demand.
- Check the sockets on the Holiday Lights to make sure they are not broken or damaged.
- Make sure the lights are safe for outside use. Indoor lights cannot handle weather, especially water from rain and snow.
- Check mountings to be sure that wires and lights are secure for the length of time they will be outside. Be sure to purchase appropriate clips or hangers (not nails or screws) and avoid placing them near sharp edges or in places they can easily be pulled down.
- When purchasing lights, the ones meant for outdoor use will be marked with a water droplet meaning they can be used outdoors. Also check for the UL mark. All electrical products in the United States are inspected by Underwriters Laboratories. Indoor lights will have a green or silver UL tag while outdoor lights will have red or silver tag or writing. Outdoor lights are also marked with an IP code: IPX3, IPX4, IPX5, IPX6 and IPX7. These codes refer to how water tight the lights are.
- Inflatables have become very popular. Although they appear fun, they still use electrical for both the blowing up and their lights. They are also very susceptible to the weather and can become easily damaged exposing wires or other internal components. If they are outdoors during a storm system, be sure to check all the pieces of the decoration to ensure its safety.
- Be sure to use a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) to plug in your outdoor lights. If your home experiences a power surge while your decorations are up, be sure to recheck all the wires. If your GFCI trips, take the hint and reduce the electrical load. Call your electrician and make sure it is safe to use that outlet again.
- Don’t run wires through windows and doors. They can be closed in the windows and doors and ultimately get stuck and broken.
- Either set a timer or turn off the lights when you are not enjoying them. Although the lights are meant to be enjoyed outdoors, leaving them on 24 hours is simply too much for the lights and your electrical system. Not to mention, your neighbors!
If you are not sure if your set up is safe. Look into hiring a professional company who installs holiday lights regularly and understands the electrical requirements.
Fresh Christmas Trees and Christmas Lights
Many people love the smell of a fresh Christmas tree. It is a tradition to chop down the tree together, bring it home, make hot cocoa. Whatever your family tradition, be sure to take all precautions to make sure your holiday is fun and safe.
According to that National Fire Protection Association, 40% of Christmas tree fires are caused by lights.
- Before putting the lights up, check that the wires are intact and not frayed. Old lights are more economical but over time they become broken and the wires become frayed.
- Consider switching to LED lights. They are cooler and use less electricity. As an added bonus, these lights last longer.
2. Check the manufacturers’ instructions to make sure you don’t overload the tree with too many lights.
3. Turn off the lights when you are not enjoying the tree or when you are out of the house.
4. Don’t place the tree near an active heat source.
5. Be sure to use indoor Christmas lights that are UL certified. Although outdoor lights should be alright indoors, it is possible that they can run hotter and cause a problem.
6. Don’t forget to water your tree. Even with all the electrical precautions, a dry tree can be a fire hazard.
Enjoy your fresh Christmas tree, but please be safe during this holiday season.
Finally, when you store both your indoor and outdoor lights, be sure they are in a sealed container away from water and rodent damage. If they are stored properly they will last that much longer.